The Diatom Flora of a Steam Vent of Kilauea Crater, Island of Hawaii

Abstract

Freshwater and subaerial diatom floras have not been extensively examined in the Hawaiian Islands. This paper reports the study of a subaerial diatom flora in a small steam vent near Kilauea Crater, Island of Hawaii. A total of 35 taxa was identified , 3 of which are new records for the state. The Kilauea vent flora is unusual in floral composition and differs markedly from other Hawaiian subaerial diatom floras we have studied, particularly in the dominance of Anomoeoneis serians var. brachysira and Frustulia rhomboides.